Talk:International Academy of Ceramics

Page update July 2023

Just so everybody knows, I have updated the text and corrected a few errors. Full disclosure: I am employed by the IAC. The IAC website now includes considerably more information than it once did, which can be drawn on. Benevans101 (talk) 12:41, 3 August 2023 (UTC)

Just to clarify: I made a bunch of major changes (my first time editing Wikipedia), but a helpful editor pointed out that as I'm an employee I'm not objective enough, and my text was too promotional. So I reverted it all back to the original and tried following his advice (see "suggested changes" below!). Benevans101 (talk) 08:35, 10 August 2023 (UTC)

Suggested changes?

Hi Wikieditors!

I tried editing the page myself, but a helpful editor pointed out that as an employee I'm too close to be objective, and some of the edits I made were too promotional or like an advertisement. So I reverted it to the original. I learned the way to do it is to post suggestions here and let an official editor make use of them as they see fit. So please don't think I'm just being lazy! Here are my suggested revisions:

Add the official goals of the organization somewhere in 2nd paragraph. The below is derived from the IAC Mission Statement on their website, but can be reworded however you like, or just quoted directly from the website? As you like.

The official goals of the academy are:
 A) To stimulate fraternity and communication between professionals in the domain of ceramics in all countries. B) To further international cooperation in the promotion of ceramics.
 C) To encourage and support the highest standards of production and achievement related to ceramics culture.

The statistics on members from 2020 is out of date and should be updated to the numbers in the sidebar on right:

In 2022 the association had 831 individuals and 77 collectives (museums or other organizations) from 78 countries.

We should definitely mention the IAC's affiliation with UNESCO, which is unique:

The IAC is the only ceramics organisation to work in official partnership with UNESCO.

Here is some info about our the congress held every two years if it is considered appropriate:

One of the primary activities of the IAC is the creation of a biennial international conference. Scholars, artists, artisans and representatives from international institutions gather for three days of exhibitions, lectures, presentations and discussions. In 2022 the organisation celebrated its 50th congress and 70th anniversary in Geneva, with 374 participants in total, from 47 different countries. The next congress, in September 2024, will take place in Portugal.

Finally, here is a proposed section on "History". The IAC is actually really old for an organization of this kind, so I personally think it merits including some of the history. But up to you.

HISTORY

The IAC was founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1952 by Henry J. Reynaud with the ambitious goal of bringing people together through the universal medium of clay. Originally the IAC had a strong diplomatic focus, bringing together major national museums and cultural organizations.

The first international congress was held in 1955 in Cannes, France., Congresses thereafter were held annually in a variety of international locations including Oostende in 1959, Prague in 1962 (at the time within the now former USSR) and Calgary in 1973. This period was remarkable for the twenty-five year long leadership of Rudolph Schnyder and Mathé Coullery, who served as President and General Secretary respectively. Since 1984, IAC congresses have been held biannually. Recent congresses have taken place in Paris (2010), Dublin (2014), Barcelona (2016), Chinese Taipei (2018), Finland (2020) and Switzerland (2022).

In 1958 the organisation was officially recognised by UNESCO to whom it was affiliated on a consultative basis up until 2001 when it became an official partner in the cultural sector.

In 1973 the Academy found an official home for its secretariat and archives in the Ariana Museum in Geneva. The IAC opened to members from North America in 1973, Japan in 1979, Oceania in 1988, and Korea and China in 2000. Today it is open to all professional practitioners in the field of ceramics worldwide through a process of nomination and election.

My thanks in advance to anybody willing and able to consider some of these edits, and my apologies if I am still not following the proper protocol for all this. I'm new! Benevans101 (talk) 08:23, 10 August 2023 (UTC)